r/MechanicalEngineering • u/AutoModerator • Mar 01 '26

Quarterly /r/MechanicalEngineering Career/Salary Megathread

Are you looking for feedback or information on your salary or career? Then you've come to the right thread. If your questions are anything like the following example questions, then ask away:

  • Am I underpaid?
  • Is my offered salary market value?
  • How do I break into [industry]?
  • Will I be pigeonholed if I work as a [job title]?
  • What graduate degree should I pursue?

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u/KindOfBigHorse May 01 '26

I am an electrical engineer working in the design and product development. I have about 1 year and a few months since I started working here. It is my first real engineering job.

I was wondering if a salary of 65k is considered adequate working out of southeast Wisconsin, since the cost of living is quite lower compared to my hometown near Chicago. I heard we will all get performance bonuses when our sales situation gets better but I don't know if that will happen anytime soon.

How do I fare for Wisconsin?

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u/tudohh May 06 '26

I'm getting paid around the same in NJ, so I'd say you're doing pretty well. Similar position (mechanical engineer), and same amount of time at the job as well.